The Dolly Sods FR-80 Trail is an easy 1.6 mile out-and-back trail located on the western side of the Dolly Sods Wilderness and is the only trail that leads into the western side of Dolly Sods. This trail also leads to multiple trailheads like the Blackbird Knob Trail, Rocky Ridge, Breathed Mountain Trail, and the Big Stonecoal Trail.
From the western trailhead, you'll hike downhill towards the trails mentioned above. When you reach a fork in the trail, with a small sign post painted red, stay right and you'll find the main trail junction about 0.1 miles further down the trail. If you take a left-hand turn at this fork, it leads to the back of the Timberline Four Seasons Resort's ski area, which likely has a lookout point as you can see a break in the trees at the end of the short spur.
Backpackers / Parking: The parking lot for this trail can be found 0.3 miles west of this trailhead and you'll need an overnight parking permit from the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. More information on how to get a parking permit can be found here; however, please note that they require at least 4 days notice to ensure you get your permit.
Trailhead: You'll need to hike in on the Wilderness Way Trail, at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, to get to this trailhead. Plan on adding 0.6 miles out-and-back to this trail's total distance to plan your trip in and out of Dolly Sods.
Warning: Dolly Sods was used for military bombing training during WWII and there are still unexploded ordinances in the ground out in the wilderness. Most of these trails and the areas around them have been combed and searched, but not everything has been found. If you find any strange metal objects, especially bomb-shaped, do not tamper with them. Make a note of where you found it and alert the proper authorities. More information can be found at the wilderness trailheads.
Dolly Sods trail map PDF
From the western trailhead, you'll hike downhill towards the trails mentioned above. When you reach a fork in the trail, with a small sign post painted red, stay right and you'll find the main trail junction about 0.1 miles further down the trail. If you take a left-hand turn at this fork, it leads to the back of the Timberline Four Seasons Resort's ski area, which likely has a lookout point as you can see a break in the trees at the end of the short spur.
Backpackers / Parking: The parking lot for this trail can be found 0.3 miles west of this trailhead and you'll need an overnight parking permit from the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. More information on how to get a parking permit can be found here; however, please note that they require at least 4 days notice to ensure you get your permit.
Trailhead: You'll need to hike in on the Wilderness Way Trail, at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, to get to this trailhead. Plan on adding 0.6 miles out-and-back to this trail's total distance to plan your trip in and out of Dolly Sods.
Warning: Dolly Sods was used for military bombing training during WWII and there are still unexploded ordinances in the ground out in the wilderness. Most of these trails and the areas around them have been combed and searched, but not everything has been found. If you find any strange metal objects, especially bomb-shaped, do not tamper with them. Make a note of where you found it and alert the proper authorities. More information can be found at the wilderness trailheads.
Dolly Sods trail map PDF
